Human Services Specialist IV

Overview Of Athena

ATHENA Consulting is an award-winning staffing firm serving state and local governments. Our mission is to make lives better. We support our clients by serving as a knowledgeable and responsive staffing partner, and we support our employees by identifying and cultivating their talents and matching those talents with meaningful opportunities. ATHENA places a high value on customer service, accountability, and getting the job done.

Position Details

Position: Human Services Specialist IV (Bilingual)

Department: Montgomery County Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)

Division: Community Action Agency – East County Coordination

Location:

3300 Briggs Chaney Rd

Silver Spring, MD 20904

Start Date: March 15, 2026

End Date: June 30, 2026

(Potential for renewal, but not guaranteed. Could lead to a Merit role, not guaranteed)

Pay Rate: $35 per hour

Hours: 40 hours per week

Schedule

8:30 AM or 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Occasional evening or weekend events, including monthly outreach functions that may extend into evening hours. Time will be flexed to ensure employees remain within 40 hours per week. This is typically on a rotating monthly basis.

Additional Details

Travel Eligible: Yes

Telework Eligible: Yes (In person two days a week, subject to change based on program need and performance)

Overtime Eligible: No

Client Interviews: Virtual Microsoft Teams meetings

Position Summary

The Human Services Specialist IV supports the East County Coordination and Paint Branch-Springbrook Cluster Project programs by assisting residents and families in accessing social services, public assistance programs, and community resources.

This role provides direct client support through in-person, virtual, and walk-in appointments and works collaboratively with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community partners to address customer needs and resolve service challenges.

Primary Duties

• Provide instruction, advice, and guidance to program participants through in-person meetings, virtual appointments, and walk-in requests
• Assist customers in navigating and accessing social, health, and public assistance services
• Coordinate support services with government agencies, nonprofits, and community partners
• Advocate for residents to resolve service issues and improve access to available resources
• Maintain documentation and program records related to service delivery
  
  

Work Environment / Expectations

• Must be independent, self-motivated, and collaborative
• Comfortable reaching out to clients, making phone calls, cold calling, and interacting with clients
• Strong critical thinking skills required
• Responsible for determining outreach, meeting assessment timelines, and providing follow-up
  
  

Caseload

• Approximately 20 cases at a time (monthly)
• When onsite, will handle walk-ins, greet clients, and answer questions
• Assessment timelines are up to 6 months, with a minimum required follow-up every 3 months
• Some clients may require more frequent engagement, including weekly interactions depending on case needs
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma with relevant experience required
  
  

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Services, Human Resources, or a related field
• Bilingual required
• Priority: Amharic/English
• Secondary: French/English
• Minimum 3 years of experience delivering social, health, or public assistance services
• Minimum 3 years of advanced administrative or client-facing experience in a social services environment serving children and families
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work directly with diverse populations and community organizations
  
  

Key Competencies

• Client advocacy and case coordination
• Community resource navigation
• Social services program support
• Bilingual communication and interpretation
• Customer service and client engagement
• Administrative and documentation accuracy
  
  

Successful ATHENA Employees Demonstrate

• A commitment to excellence in their field now and in the future
• A strong sense of accountability and ownership of their work
• The ability to find solutions where others see problems
• A proactive approach to meeting commitments and exceeding expectations
• Awareness of client needs and the ability to represent ATHENA with professionalism
• The ability to work collaboratively within diverse, mission-driven teams
  
  

The Benefits of Working for ATHENA

Supportive Team Environment

A professional and dedicated team committed to making your work and life better.

Health and Wellness Coverage

• Cigna medical, dental, and vision insurance (eligible after 60 days)
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Pet insurance
• Supplemental health insurance through LLH (via Recuro)
• Recuro virtual health services (available at no cost to all employees)
  
  

Financial Benefits

• 401(k) with a generous employer match
  
  

(Eligible to contribute beginning the 1st of the month after four months of employment)

• Weekly pay every Friday
• Medical and dependent flexible spending accounts (FSA)
  
  

Paid Time Off

15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year, accrued weekly beginning on your first day of employment

PTO may be used for vacation, sick leave, or personal time

Recognized Unpaid Holidays (PTO Optional)

New Year’s Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Presidents’ Day

Memorial Day

Juneteenth

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Day

Tools and Resources

• Employee self-service HR portal
  
  

Additional Information

This job posting describes the general nature and level of work expected. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be available upon request.

Employment with ATHENA Consulting LLC is at-will and may be terminated by either party at any time.

ATHENA Consulting LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on protected characteristics including race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other protected category.